Two former Parramatta Eels players are accused of harbouring semi-automatic weapons and possessing more than half-a-million dollars in cash after dramatic arrests in Sydney's Centennial Park yesterday.

Saudi suspect's brother to remain hidden

A Perth-born man in hiding in Saudi Arabia while his brother faces terrorism-related charges will lie low until the Australian government shows it is trying to help them, their aunt says.

Junaid Thorne, 23, went into hiding in Saudi Arabia - where he is wanted for questioning by local officials - after being incarcerated for two months for protesting against his brother Shayden's imprisonment.

Their aunt Stephanie Riley said Junaid had planned to meet Saudi officials to clarify his legal position but changed his mind after little diplomatic progress was made following a desperate appeal by their mother through the media earlier this month.

Junaid, whose passport had been seized and who like his brother is an Aboriginal Muslim, was scared about what could happen to him after he suffered terrible conditions last time he was in custody.

"He thought that because the Australian public know, they (the Australian government) were going to do something about it, but it hasn't progressed since then, so now he's back to square one," Ms Riley told AAP on Tuesday.

"He's scared again.

"He's going to continue to lay low ... to try and force the government to do something on his behalf."

Also on Tuesday, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade confirmed Shayden's next court date was May 29.

Ms Riley said it was unclear what would happen on that date, but there was a possibility he would be judged and sentenced despite having had only three court appearances.

"We're just trying to see what we can do and get people over there as quickly as possible.

"We've got to speed things up."

Ms Riley said Junaid had problems with his eyes and a skin condition caused by unhygienic conditions in a crowded jail cell.

She said the family was disappointed with the Australian government's efforts since the matter went public.

Shayden's lawyer had offered to set up a meeting for Australian officials with Interior Minister Prince Ahmed bin Abdulaziz to plead the brothers' case, but "Canberra refused and said no", Ms Riley said.

"(Foreign Minister) Bob Carr said they'd done all they could and yet when an opportunity like this arises, they knock it back."

Ms Riley said supporters were gathering a group of indigenous elders to travel to Saudi Arabia.

"It's going to be from one tribal nation to another tribal nation.

"We're hoping that direct approach on a cultural level will weigh more than government to government."